When a tooth has deteriorated to the point that a filling won't have much effect, you're likely to need a dental crown. The same can be true for your dog. It's not as though your dog will be regularly snacking on sugary treats, but their teeth can still be affected by decay, or the damage might have been more instantaneous (caused by an accident). It's not like you or your vet (or your dog, for that matter) will be satisfied leaving a damaged tooth as is, so a dog dental appointment might be in order.
Doggy Dental Crowns
Dental crowns for humans are intended to blend seamlessly into your smile, meaning that the shape and colour of the crown are intended to look entirely natural. This is why dental crowns for humans are typically made of porcelain, which is colour-matched to the rest of your teeth. Dental crowns for dogs are designed for functionality and durability, meaning that the crown is more likely to be metal.
Minimal Preparation
A stainless steel crown can quickly restore your dog's bite, and metal has an added advantage for a canine patient since the required preparation is minimal. Even the best-behaved dog can't be expected to sit quietly with their mouth wide open, so they'll be sedated for the procedure.
Attaching the Crown
Any decayed portions of the tooth will be removed, which halts further deterioration. Additionally, a thin layer of the tooth's outer enamel will be removed, even if it's largely healthy. This reduces the mass of the tooth, meaning that the completed restoration will not be conspicuously large in your dog's mouth. This ensures full functionality of the tooth without imbalancing your dog's natural bite (which can create additional dental problems further down the track).
Instant Results
The metal crown will match the configuration of the tooth that it's placed upon and will be instantly bonded into place. It will be largely stable by the time your dog wakes up, and while they might be confused about the sudden absence of any dental pain, they're likely to be very happy about this turn of events.
Temporary Caution
You will receive precise aftercare instructions, but it's generally a matter of easing your dog into their restored tooth. This will involve a soft food diet for some days while being careful that they avoid bones or chewing on sticks or any hard toys that could potentially dislodge the crown while it settles. These constraints will only be temporary, and your dog will have full use of their new tooth within days.
A damaged tooth can be painful for your poor pooch, which results in some limitations in what they can comfortably do. Happily, a dog dental crown can quickly and easily restore the tooth.
Reach out to a local veterinarian if you need to make a dog dental appointment.
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